WHEREAS the overthrow of the military dictatorship that has ruled Ethiopia for seventeen years presents a historical moment, providing the Peoples of Ethiopia with the opportunity to rebuild the country and restructure the slate democratically;

WHEREAS the military dictatorship was, in essence, a continuation of the previous regimes and its demise marks the end of an era of subjugation and oppression thus starting a new chapter in Ethiopian history in which freedom, equal rights and self determination of all the peoples shall be the governing principles of (political, economic and social life and thereby contributing to the welfare of the Ethiopian Peoples and rescuing them from centuries of subjugation and backwardness;

WHEREAS peace and stability, as essential conditions of development, require the end of all hostilities, the healing of wounds caused by conflicts and the establishment and maintenance of good neighborliness and cooperation;

WHEREAS for the fulfillment of the aforementioned conditions and for the reign of a just peace, the proclamation of democratic order is a categorical imperative, and;

WHEREAS to thi5 end, all institutions of repression installed by the previous regimes shall be dismantled, regional prejudices redressed and the rights and interests of the deprived citizens safeguarded by a democratic government elected by and accountable to the People:

WHEREAS from the peace loving and democratic forces present in the Ethiopian society and having varied views, having met in a Conference convened from July 1-5 in ADDIS ABABA, have discussed and approved The Charter laying dawn the rules governing The Transitional Government n» well as setting down the principles for the transitional period,